Box Score New Paltz, NY – Saturday's game between the State University of New York at New Paltz women's soccer team and SUNY Cortland was ultimately determined in the the box. The Red Dragons (5-0-3 overall, 2-0 SUNYAC) took advantage of their chances inside the 18 midway through the first half to propel the eventual 4-0 win over the hosting Hawks.

"I think this was certainly an eye opener," said SUNY New Paltz coach Mike Eckberg.  "I think competition wise we did well to fight on both sides of the ball, we just need to be sharper in moments that obviously dictate a game. We need to be sharper in our box on both ends of the field. We just can't be giving up loose marking in our defensive third and need to be opportunistic in our final third."

The score didn't necessarily mirror the play throughout the 90 minutes, as the Hawks (4-6 overall, 0-2 SUNYAC) battled in the midfield, winning numerous balls and built up play in their offensive third. But SUNY Cortland's offense started picking up about 10 minutes in, putting shots just high and wide of frame and even hit the crossbar at the 14^th minute.

But it was inside the six-yard box where the Red Dragons first found the back of the net. Amanda Profera put the initial shot on SUNY New Paltz goalkeeper Megan Tornatore (three saves) and Erin Valente was there to knock in the rebound.

"I think every coach leaves every game feeling like they can capitalize more," said Cortland coach Heidi Axtell. "We had some key people score that probably needed to break through and get a goal. Hopefully more will follow."

The Red Dragons added another in the 28^th minute off a throw-in by Siobhan Swayne. Casey Schmitt corralled the long throw just outside the six, turned and put a low shot past Tornatore for the goal.

Schmitt tallied another score before halftime, tapping in a ball played across by Janessa Factor in the 33^rd minute.

"I think we certainly need to have a little bit more urgency in transition defensively and recognize in our defensive shape," Eckberg said. "That is something that we need to address as we focus on training this upcoming week."

Despite the 3-0 deficit, the Hawks never wavered with their play on the field. Like in their previous game against Oswego, they continued to play aggressive and created more opportunities in the final 45 minutes. 

"Next weekend we want to try and keep the energy level up, both days," said Hawks senior defender Julia Friedman, who had backed up a strong outing against the Lakers with another solid performance versus the Red Dragons. "Today and against Oswego we had great energy and we just want to continue to do that, and tighten up everything through our midfield and get some goals on the board."

Two minutes into the second half, Nicole Ferro found some room outside the box and sailed a shot high of goal. Shortly after Grossi had a nice look on goal, but Cortland goalkeeper Abby Miller (one save) was there on the stop.

"I think New Paltz definitely brought pressure the whole game," Axtell said. "We put a bunch of different players in the back, which is nice to kind of work on that chemistry back there. We started two freshmen back there and we lost a couple to injury this weekend, so we definitely stepped up and took care of what we needed too."

The Hawks continued to battle, but the Red Dragons earned a few chances down the stretch by playing long balls over the top. Katelyn Cordero, who came in for Tornatore at the start of the second half, made a big breakaway save in the 65^th minute. However, Lieza Bradshaw broke free a few minutes later and earned a 1-on-1 with Cordero. She sent a strong strike past the senior keeper to cap off Cortland's offensive day.

"They were playing some balls over us in the back and we just got to tighten up back there and not have slip ups like we did," Friedman said. "I think if you were to have watched the game the score wouldn't have reflected how we played. It was just an unfortunate result."

SUNY New Paltz totaled nine shots with two on target, while Cortland registered 17 shots (12 in the first half) and eight on frame, while earning one corner with the Hawks limited to none for the just the second time this season.

"I felt like our midfield did well on both sides of the ball in creating opportunities to initiate our attack and change the point, which is something that we talk about all the time, so that was exciting," Eckberg said. "Our forward movement needs to be more proactive, but all are certain things that we need to work on. Cortland did well with their opportunities and we need to do the same."

The Hawks are on the road next weekend, taking on The College at Brockport on Friday at 3 p.m. and SUNY Geneseo on Saturday at 1 p.m. For updates, highlights, videos, recaps and more, be sure to follow @nphawks on Twitter and @newpaltzhawks on Facebook and Instagram.